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"The fact is that you have a history of violence, and on this occasion, you behave violently again."

Welch was given an indeterminate period of imprisonment for the public protection with a minimum term of five years, after he admitted possessing a firearm with intent to resist arrest.

Wood Green Crown Court heard that at around 10.20pm on November 2 last year, Pcs Steven Lush, Tom Bell and James McGeavey were on patrol in Stroud Green, north London, when they stopped three white men in a white Renault Megane which appeared to have a faulty rear light.

As the officers attempted to inspect the vehicle, it sped away.

The officers chased the car through north London side streets for more than half an hour before catching up with it at Highgate Hill.

David Ryan, prosecuting, told the court: "This defendant leaned out of the window and discharged a single cartridge at the officers.

"The officers felt and certainly heard the pellets hit the car, which forced the driver to swerve. From then they kept their distance."

Shortly afterwards Welch was spotted trying to get into a taxi on neighbouring Aylmer Rd.

Two more officers, including police dog handler PC William Smillie (Cor), ordered him to stop.

Mr Ryan said: "He then produced a sawn off shotgun from under his jacket and brandished it at both officers.

"PC Smillie went to the dog cage to release the dog, but the defendant told him that if the dog were to be released, he would shoot both officers and the dog."

Welch ran off and was discovered at 11.12pm in a garden in nearby Gaskell Road, still clutching the loaded shotgun and a black holdall.

The gun was a shortened, double barreled 12-bore shotgun manufactured in Belgium to a design in use since 1927. Further enquiries revealed it had been stolen in a burglary from a licensed holder in Surrey, while he was away on holiday.

The court heard Welsh had been on his way to deliver the shotgun to other criminals.

At the time of his arrest, Welsh was on license from prison, after being released in September 2008. He had served three-and-a-half years for causing grievous bodily harm after he beat a man up using a knuckle duster.

The court heard he also has two convictions for assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and his other previous offences include robbery and common assault.

Welch, of Tottenham, north London, admitted having a firearm with intent to resist arrest, possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear or violence, possessing a firearm when prohibited and possessing a shortened shotgun.

Charges of making threats to kill and possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life were left to lie on file.